Train-pipe coupling



w. R. GREGG TRAIN PIPE COUPLING Filed 051.

I 4 WWINVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 25, 192 3.

wanna anion sense, or sir. Louis, nissouei, ass eivoa or ONE-EIGHTH TO 'rnoiaes n. were, or sr. LOUIS, MISSOUIRL TRAIN-PIPE COUPLING.

Application filed October 9, 1923. Serial No. 667,554.

To ((11 10710776 it may conceive..-

Belt known that I, id amas Brion Genes, a'citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have in- 5 vented certain new and useful improve ments in lrain-Pipe Couplings, of which the following is a Specification.

This invention relates to train pipe couplings and hasfor its object to provide a coupling of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, with means automatically operated when two opposed couplingelements, on the opposed ends of a pair of pipe line sections are brought into abutting engagement for opening" the air supply from one pipe section to the other, and further with means for automatically shutting off the discharge of air from the train ipe sections when the coupling elements are shifted out of abutting engagement.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a train pipe coupling which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, overcoming the necessity of manual connection of the coupling elements carriedby the train pipe sect-ions, strong, durable, automatic in action to open and close supp-ly and discharge of air to andv from the train pipe sections, readily set up, eflicient and convenient in its use and com paratively inexpensive. V i iVith the foregoing and other objects in View, theinvention consists of the novel con struction, combination and arran ement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be rcsortedto which come within the scope of' the claims hereunto appended In the 1 drawings wherein 7 like reference characters denote corresponding 1 parts thro'iighout the several views Figure 1 as longitudinal sectional view,

of a train pipe coupling in accordance with 1 '01 m tsin'operative position .with'lrespect to theitrain i-pipe sections :to provide for the supplylofair from one train pipe section to tlreother, i

Figure 2'is a like view, with t-he'elements of the coupling in inoperative position, whereby the discharge of air from a train pipe' se'cti'on isarrested,

ns 'in ventihn and with the coupling ele- Figure 3 is a section on line of Figure '2,

Figure at is Figure 2,

Figure 5 is Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a perspectiveview ofltheuvat vular member of the coupling element The train pipe coupling in accordance; with'this invention, includes asp-air of coir-1 pling elements A, B, adapted to b e-brought into abutting engagement witheach ot to open the air supply to]oneftrainpipeC tion from the other, andeach havingrmeans; when said elements are shifted out of abuti 7.0 ting engagement to automatically'shut off discharge of air from the trainpipe section to which the element is connected,"an,d as each of the coupling elements is of the same I construction, but one will be described, as the description thereof will apply to the other. i 1

Each of the coupling elements consists of a section on line d tof a section on line of 60 an annular casing 10, open at its outer end,

closed at its rearend 11, and said rear end S91 11, has a centrally disposed opening'12, with the wall thereof threaded. Formed integral with the inner face of the rear end-11,;is aforwardly projecting interiorly threaded collar 13, which registers with the opening 12, and is formed with a series of lateral ports 14, which open into an air chamber 15 formed with the casing 10.

Connected with'the rear end 11, as well as,

'with the collar 13, is an elongated-hollo v 901 stem 16, having its forward end peripherally threaded and which engages with the threads of the opening 12, and the threads of the collar 13. The forward endiof the stem 16, is flush with the forwardedge of 9;; the collar '13, and sa-id'stem-lGi in proximity to its forward terminus, is'formed witl series of openings 17, which re 'st 3, l the openings 1 1.. Thelrear endof h 16 is contracted as at 18,,andjformed .w t an inwardly extending shoulder 19,:-and. passage 20, which open into azchamhen 1,-

' o "rea'ter diameter than the; assa eQQand b i r 7 i m extending through the passage 20 and-into:

the chamber 21, is t-he end iportionlofai train 105" pipe section 22. The endof; the train} pipe. section 22, which is arranged'in the chamber 21, has mounted thereon, a capmenibe rt2 3,i. which has threadedengagement witl ltliei pipe section 22, and is formed witlr' at.

21, for establishing communication between the pipe section 22 and the chamber 21. A flanged nut 25, has threaded engagement with the periphery of the stem it, at the inner end thereof, and fiu'thermorc surrounds the pipe section A cut-off is interposed in the pipe section 22.

Secured within the casing 10, at a point inwardly with respect to the outer end thereof, by the hold-fast devices 2?, is a disk 28, which constitutes a valve seat and is formed with pair of oppositely disposed arcuate openings 29, between the cen ter thereof and its edge, and is furthermore provided with a centrally disposed opening 30. Mounted onthe casing 10, as well as projecting forwardly thereof, is a contract-- ible and expansible casing 31, having its outer end provided with an inwardly extending annular flange 32, which projects from a centrally arranged opening The casing 31, is fixedly secured to the casing 10, by a split flanged band 3%, and exteni'iing through the flanges 35, of the hand 34, is a hold-fast device 36.

Extending through the casing 31, as well as through the disk 28, is a valve stem 37. provided on its inner end with a of cular valve head 38, and at its outer end w a circular disk 39, formed with a plurai y of openings 40. The head 38, is of mater ially greater diameter than. the disl: 39, as well as being of greater thickness. .he valve head 38, associates with the valve seat formed by the disk 28, for the purpose of closing the openings 29, and furthermore associate with a valve seat 41, formed by the forward termini of the stem 16 and collar 13, and when engaged with the seat 41, closes the forward end of the stem 16, which opens into the chamber 15., whereby the passage of air from the stem 16. to the chamber 15, will be had through the openings'M and 1.7. i i hen the head 38, is engaged against the disk 28, the openings will be closed, whereby passage of air to the chamber 42, formed by the casing 31, will be discontinued.

Arranged within the chamber and bearing against the rear face of the valve head 38, is a coiled spring a3, and arn need within the casing 4:2 and interposed between the disk 28, and the flange as well surrounding the stem 3., is a coiled spr a l, of materially greater diameter than diameter of he spring 43. The spring is employed for expanding the casing when the coupling elements Zr and out of abutting engagement whereby valve head 38, will be shifted from seat 41, and brought into abutting engagement with the disk 28, for the pr "pose of closing the openings 29. This movement of the valve head 38, is assisted by the spring 43.

The opening 33, formed by the flange 32, is What may be termed an air outlet opening, for the chamber 42, and registering with said opening 33, and the openings or ports 44, is the disk 39, so that discharge of air can be had from the chamber The head 39, is positioned extcriorly of the casing 31., and against the flange and by this arrangement, when the coupling elements are brought into abutting engagement, the casing 31 is compressed, and the valve stem 37 shifted inwardly, so that the valve head 38, will engage the seat 41, as shown in Figure 1, of the drawings.

From the foregoing construction and arrangement of parts, a train pipe coupling set up, having each of the coupling elements provided with means which when brought into abutting engagement will automatically cause a supply of air from one train pipe section to the other, and furthermore provide the coupling elements with means, which when the disks 39 are shifted out of abutting engagement, will automatically close the train pipe section and prevent the discharge of air therefrom, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described. yet it is to be understood that changes in the detail of construction, which fall within the scope of the invention, can be resorted to, and that the invention is not limited to the precise details of construction as herein set forth.

What I claim is:

1. A train pipe coupling comprising a pair of coupling elements, each provided with a compressible casing provided with an outlet at its free end, and further with a reciprocatory means for controlling travel of air through its respective element when said element is compressed and for abutting off the discharge of air through said outlet when said casing is extended, said means including an apertured disk positioned permanently against the outer face of the free end of said casing and having its apertures registering with said outlet.

2. A train pipe coupling comprising a pair of coupling elements, each provided with a pair of air chambers adapted to communicate with each other and one pro vided with an outlet at the free end of the element and each of said elements further provided with a spring controlled valvular device for establishing communication between said chambers when moved inwardly and for closing communication between said chambers when moved outwardly, said valvular device having a disk at its outer end permanently positioned exteriorly of that chamber having the outlet, and formed with ports registering with said outlet.

3. in a train pipe coupling, a casing provided therein with a valve seat and adapted 1 to be connected td and" communicate with ago a train pipe section a f( JOIr JreSSible member ecured at one end to the Y casing and ,projecting forwardly therefromand provided with an outlet at its free'end, and a valvular device including a valve' headcooperating with said seathnd an apertured disk permanentlypositioned exteriorily" of the free end of Said member and cooperating with said outlet.

4. In a train pipe coup-ling, acoupling element provided with a casing forming an air chamber and adapted: to be connected to and communicate with a. trainpipesection, a pair of valve seats arranged said chamber, a compressible membersecured at one end tn and projecting from said casing andprovided with anoutletat its free end, asprin'g jqo nti' oll'ed valvular device including a valvehead cooperating with said valve seats and furtheri cludingan apertureddiskp o sitioned' eizteriorly of said free end and ,coopei-atif ig with said'outlet.

n?l 1,. i r forming an air chamber and having ar ranged therein a pair-of spaced valve seats, a hollow stem connected to said casingand adapted to be connected to and Communicate with a train pipe coupling and further opening into said air chamber through one of said *alve seats, means to provide a series of ports between the interior of the stem and said air chamber, a compressible and extensible member secured at one end to and projecting from said casing and providing a chamber having an outlet at the free end of said member, and a spring controlled valvular device provided with a head for closing communication between said chambers when said member is extended and for closing the inner end of said stem when said member is compressed, said valvular device further including an apertured disk permanently arranged exteriorly of said member and coacting with the said outlet.

6. In a train pipe coupling, a coupling element including a compressible and eX- pansible member provided with an outlet, a casing projecting rearwardly from said member and adapted to be connected and communicate with a train pipe section and provided with means to establish communication with said member interposed between the forward end of the latter and said means, a resilient element mounted within said member and a spring controlled valvular device arranged in said member and casing and including a valve head for closing communication between the casing and member when the latter is extended and for controlling the supply of air to said casing and member when the latter is compressed, said valve device extending through said resilient element and provided with an apertured disk permanently arranged exteriorly of Je"coupling, a' rigid casing an air supply inlet, a compressible casingsecured to therigid casing and having an air outlet and an air inlet, and a spring-controlled valvulardevice having means'toreduce the supply to said rigid casing when crease the air supply to the rigid casing andclose said air inlet of the compressible;

casing when the latter is distended, said'device further provided with an apertured disk arranged exteriorly of the compressible casing and having its apertures registering:

permanently with said outlet.- I

8. A train pipe coupling'comprisinga pair of coupling members eachprovided with rigid 'casing having means to provide the other casin is com ressed and to in an air supply inlet, a compressible casing having an air outlet and anair inlet, a.

spring controlled valvular device arranged 1 in said casing and having means atone end to reduce the supply to said"rigidcasingwhen the othercasing is compressed and to increase the air supply to the rigid casing and close said air inlet when the c0mpres siblc casing is distended.

9. in a train pipe coupling, a rigid casing providing an air chamber, a hollow stem leading from a train pipe section and opening at its forward end into said chamber and provided with a series of ports permanently communicating with said chamber, a compressible member secured at one end to and projecting from said rigidcasing and forming an air chamber having an outlet at the free end of the member, an apertured disk within said casing for establishing communication between said chambers, and a spring controlled valvular device arranged in both chambers and including a valve head abutting against said disk for closing communication between said chambers when said member is extended and for closing the inner end of the stem when said member is compressed to reduce the supply of air to the chamber formed by the rigid casing.

10. In a train pipe coupling, a rigid casing providing an air chamber, a hollow stem leading from a train pipe section and opening at its forward end into said chamber and provided with a series of ports permanently communicating with said chamber, a compressible member secured at one end to and projecting from said rigid casing and forming an air chamber having an outlet at the free end of said memben an apertured disk within said casing for establishing communication between said chambers, a spring controlled valvular device arranged in both chambers and including a valve head abutting against said disk tor closing communication between said chambers when said member is extended and for closing the inner end of the stem when said member is compressed to reduce the supply of air to the chamber formed bythe rigid casing, and said device further including an apertured disk extending over said outlet exteriorly of the free end of said member.

11. In a train pipe coupling a rigid easing providing an air chamber, a hollow stem munication between said chambers, and a spring controlled valvular device slidably mounted in said disk and arranged in both of said chambers and including a valve head abutting against said disk for closing communication between said chambers when said member is extended and for closing the inner end of the stem when said member is compressed to reduce the supply of air to the chamber formed by the rigid casing.

.12, In a train pipe coupling a rigid casing providing an air chamber, a hollow stem leading from a train pipe section and opening at its forward end into said chamber and provided with a series of ports permanently communicating with said chamber, a compressible member secured at one end to and projecting from said rigid casin and forming an air chamber having an outlet at the free end of said member, an apertured disk within said casing for establishing communication between said cham bers, a spring controlled valvular device slidably mounted in said disk and arranged in both of said chambers and including a valve head abutting against said disk for closing communication between said chant bers when said member is extended and for closing the inner end of the stem when said member is compressed to reduce the supply of air to the chamber formed by the rigid casing, and said device further including an apertured disk permanently arranged exteriorly of the free end of said member and having its apertures registering with said outlet.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

VALTER BEIGE GREGG. 

